Venturi to enter Hall of Fame

Pebble Beach, CA – Long-time television commentator and former U.S. Open winner Ken Venturi was tabbed to enter the World Golf Hall of Fame on Monday.

Venturi was selected through the Lifetime Achievement Category. The 1964 U.S. Open winner will join Fred Couples in this year's class.

"Ken Venturi's induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame is absolutely fitting, even more so because he enters under the auspices of the Lifetime Achievement Category," said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem.

"Ken's career certainly epitomizes a lifetime of achievement, from his many wins on the golf course, including his courageous victory in the 1964 U.S. Open, to his captaincy of the U.S. Presidents Cup Team to his nearly four- decade-long career as the voice of CBS' golf coverage, the longest in golf history. Congratulations to Ken on this well-deserved honor."

Venturi, 81, won 14 times on the PGA Tour during his playing days. His biggest win was at Congressional Country Club, where he overcame severe dehydration and 100-plus degree temperatures to win the U.S. Open.

In 1965, carpel tunnel syndrome forced him off the course and into the broadcast booth. In 1968, he officially joined the CBS television broadcast team. That relationship lasted 35 years.

Venturi also captained the 2000 Presidents Cup team to victory.

"The greatest reward in life is to be remembered, and I thank the World Golf Hall of Fame for remembering me," Venturi said. "It's the dream of a lifetime."